List of acronyms and abbreviations

CATF

Canada Arts Training Fund

GBA+

Gender-based analysis plus

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

PCH

Department of Canadian Heritage

Overview

The Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) program is delivered by the Arts Branch of PCH and provides financial assistance to Canadian not-for-profit institutions that specialize in delivering focused, intensive and practice-based arts training to prepare students for professional national or international artistic careers.

Average annual budget over five years

$22,652,000

39 national professional arts schools or institutions funded yearly

90% of recipients are repeat clients

Relevance

CATF aligns with several PCH priorities as well as federal government priorities: it supports the accessibility of Canadian cultural content and arts training in Canada and the federal government’s public recognition of the importance and contribution of artists to Canadian society.

Without public funding, some arts training organizations would not have been viable. There was a high demand for CATF as it is the only program to provide cohesive, multi-year operational funding for professional arts training organizations.

Culture and artistic performances were significant generators of economic growth, jobs and wealth

$53.8B contributed to GDP, and 652,406 jobs created in 2016

20 million tourists in 2017

Generates secondary tourist spending

Cultural identity development

Supports the attraction of knowledgeable workers that help make Canadian companies competitive

Canadian participation in arts and culture (2016-17)

88% attended performances

Number of applications to places by year

In 2012-13, there were 11,987 applications for 4,079 places, a ratio of 2.9.

In 2013-14, there were 12,420 applications for 3,151 places, a ratio of 3.9.

In 2014-15, there were 10,478 applications for 2,684 places, a ratio of 3.9.

In 2015-16, there were 10,473 applications for 2,846 places, a ratio of 3.7.

In 2016-17, there were 12,671 applications for 3,362 places, a ratio of 3.6.

Effectiveness

CATF supported the development of high-quality training institutions and successful professional artists. Further, CATF-funded organizations were recognized as being leaders in their field and have provided relevant and applied training to students through high-quality instruction. However, the definition of excellence may not have been appropriate for Indigenous art forms.

Number and proportion of students and graduates (2012-13 to 2017-18)

CATF-funded organizations produced highly skilled graduates who are recognized in Canada and internationally for excellence.

66% of these graduates were working professionally in their field.

1 in 3 graduates received a regional, national or international award in recognition of excellence.

Percentage of funding sources by type (earned, public, private), by fiscal year

Applicants are encouraged by CATF to have a combination of earned revenue, private and public funding.

Of 2012-13 funding sources, 33% were earned revenue, 14% were private and 53% public funding.

Of 2013-14 funding sources, 32% were earned revenue, 16% were private and 52% public funding.

Of 2014-15 funding sources, 33% were earned revenue, 18% were private and 50% public funding.

Of 2015-16 funding sources, 31% were earned revenue, 18% were private and 48% public funding.

Of 2016-17 funding sources, 29% were earned revenue, 22% were private and 49% public funding.

Efficiency

CATF utilized consistent and rigorous implementation of eligibility and assessment criteria,sitevisits and expert assessmentsto ensure resources dedicated to the program were used efficiently.

Service standards

The service standardfor acknowledging receipt of applications was met to a high degree (83%-100%)by CATF in the five years covered by the evaluation period.

While CATF did not meet its service standard for notification of the funding decision between 2012-13 and 2016-17, preliminary program data for 2017-18 suggests that timelines have significantly improved.

Government-wide policy considerations

Official Languages requirements of section 41 of the Official Languages Act were met.

Recommendations

Explore the feasibility, benefits and impacts of a two-stream funding model for CATF within the existing budget.

Collaborate with Indigenous arts organizations to identify barriers to a successful application, develop options to address these barriers and implement an approach to ultimately increase the number of high-quality graduates.

Report a problem or mistake on this page

Please select all that apply:

A link, button or video is not working

It has a spelling mistake

Information is missing

Information is outdated or wrong

Login error when trying to access an account (e.g. My Service Canada Account)